One more post from Senior Camp Counselor Linda:

Final day at camp for camper Della. This was another activity-fun-filled day! Della arrived ready to tackle some new skills. She has moved beyond Itsy Bitsy Spider, Ba Ba Black Sheep, & the ABC song to learning to play a balalaika. Her small fingers were perfect playing the cords on a piece she composed herself! Very very impressive.

Della then moved on to flower arranging. However, she had to be discouraged from eating the flowers.

We were very lucky to have counselor Ginny stop by to help out. Della practiced her welcoming and hostess skills while Ginny was here. They had a good time exploring all the toys.

After a careful review of Della’s performance, we are delighted to extend an invitation to have her join us again next year.  We are considering adding wood working, weeding and house painting to our offerings for campers.

Here is Della’s report card:
Deportment: Superior
Attitude: Superior
Kindness: Superior
Singing: Perfect Pitch
Dancing: Twinkle Toes
Cuteness & Sweetness: Once again, over the top

Best Wishes!

After a long three days at camp, Della is all tuckered out.

When not at camp, Della is usually swinging or touring.

Today was Della’s first day of summer camp, AKA Camp Anderson. You’ll remember she was asked back after her good behavior last year. Senior Camp Counselor Linda reports:

Busy 1st day at Camp Anderson! Early am visit to swing and duck pond, short am nap (grand-dad’s talking weather lady woke her up!),* lots of walking the indoor track (at least 3+ miles) with visits to the swing, elephant, kitchen cabinets, and toy corner. Then some climbing exercise with scaling the steps (about 25 times) with lots of laughs. By then Della was ready for a huge lunch – which she enjoyed with great gusto! After lunch a stroller ride around the neighborhood, but it was good to get back to camp base because it is very very hot outside. Now everyone is ready for a nap. Water fun when we all wake up.

*This is too complicated to explain.

Apparently we drink Orange Crush. Also: 

Today Rita told me that regularly at day care all the kids sit in a semi-circle while each child takes a turn performing in front of the others. The performer stands on a raised platform at one end of the room, does his thing, everybody claps. Della apparently insists on participating, even though she can’t talk. She goes after Brenden, who always does “Baa, Baa Black Sheep.” She gestures and makes noise and dances, clapping for herself at what she deems the end.

Much to my delight, Rita had the kids act this out for me, with Brenden singing and the kids sitting around watching. I didn’t think it would work, because I had just arrived and Della was whining and reaching for me. But when Brenden finished his Baa Baa’ing, Della’s face lit up. Miss Gulraiz positioned her on the stage, and Della put her hands out, twisting her wrists, bending her hips, delivering an indecipherable part-song part-speech. 

I was very proud.

Here are some pictures of Della a little while later at home. Eating hummus with a big carrot can also be quite a show.